What are the only differences between SQL and mySQL in simple terms, and what are their usage for?
SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standard. No actual software follows that standard to the last letter. Every software vendor has their own version (or dialect) of SQL, which may both skip some standard SQL features and offer features not present in standard SQL. Microsoft has Transact-SQL (or T-SQL), Oracle has PL/SQL, MySQL has MySQL, etc. MySQL’s Web site has a detailed discussion of the differences between MySQL and standard SQL: http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.1/en/differences-from-ansi.
In simple terms: SQL is a common database computer language designed for the retrieval and management of data in relational database management systems (RDBMS) — basically a standard interactive and programming language for querying and modifying data and managing databases. Very standard for uses ranging from the simplest Microsoft Access applications, up to complex multi-server distributed Oracle applications. MySQL is a multithreaded, multi-user SQL database management system (DBMS) providing multi-user access to a number of databases. MySQL is commonly the back engine database for a great many applications, and often the database of choice for web-based applications. Comparing the two is a little like comparing the English language to Tom Clancey’s last book, one uses the other — but from there the differences are many. Hope that helps!
SQL stands for “Structured Query Language”, and is just a definition of a computer language that can be used to access data stored in relational databases. SQL is not itself a standalone computer application, but is rather part of many relational DB programs such as MySQL, Oracle, Sybase, Microsoft SQL Server, etc. MySQL is an actual computer application you can download and install. It is the most popular open-source database management system. In addition to having an SQL interpreter, MySQL also has a database manager component, GUI database viewers, session monitoring tools, etc. The difference between SQL and MySQL would be similar to the difference between C++ and the Visual C++ IDE; the first is just a language and the second is an actual tool that can be used to work in that language. Or similarly, the difference between HTML and Dreamweaver; HTML is just a web page standard, while Dreamweaver is a computer program that lets you create and edit and view web pages and web sites.
You’re not comparing the same things. SQL is a language. Specifically, the “Structured Query Language” MySQL is one of several database systems, or RDMS (Relational Database Management System). MySQL is one of several RDMS’s, others of which are Oracle, Informix, Postgres, and MSQL. All of these RDMSs use SQL as their language. Each of them have minor variations in the “dialect” of SQL that they use, but it’s all still SQL. Basically, the difference between SQL and MySQL is the same as the difference between Spanish and Mexicans. Spanish is a language. Mexicans are one of a group of people that use Spanish. Mexican Spanish and Spaniard Spanish are mildly different in dialects, but they’re still Spanish.
